Service/Technical Day - Suggestion

What about a meet focussed on MGF&TF servicing/practical/technical?
Years ago I attended an MGF service day on the South Coast. Lots of owners turned up, some from 100 miles or more away and it sparked my enthusiasm and confidence to tackle any job on my car.
It's probably a bit late in the year to arrange but I wonder what interest there is - maybe for a late spring meeting next year,

Several folk here have special tools, tips and experience to share with others that are new to MGF/TF or nervous about maintenance. All easy if you've been there and done it, but what about those that have not. Even time served owners like to share and learn, else this forum wouldn't thrive.

Done properly in the right location it could be good for all.
Those that know could provide practical hands-on to those that want to learn.
The travelling mechanics might gain new business through introductions for the bigger jobs like HGF, Timing belt changes etc. Anything which would not be possible "on the day".

Location:
Someplace central with plenty of flat hard standing, access to electric, tea making, toilets with wash-up would be ideal.
Maybe organise a BBQ.
Perhaps a laptop with Rave.
Access to wireless internet.
Someone with a Rover diagnostic kit would be good to invite.
Obviously the time served owners would be expected to bring plenty of tools, stands, wheel ramps, jacks etc.

Done on an amateur basis, without 'elf and safety or insurance - attendees accepting all risks.

Do you think we could do that?
Would the Administrators consider "fronting/arranging" the idea through this forum?


Jeff

Sounds a good idea!

Great idea, no problem with using the forum, Hopefully the others can shed some light on getting things organsied.

hi jeff
as you know im always happy to help customers with advice and tips,but with this countrys red tape its easy to become liable.
Eg the forum at the moment is discussing brake hoses.if I gave some advice on a safety issues and someone took it on and had an accident my company is in question.
Also in my experiance is a mans job is a mans job.We spend 70 hours a week working on these cars,we have seen it all,you have to get a feel for things.Your mind is wired towards engineering so problems with your car you can work out.I lot of people struggle with cars .They will start working on there cars without seeing the pitfalls or the dangers.
Over the years we have seen many many jobs where people have done work and caused more damage then good,one poor man lost control of his car and is in a wheel chair for life.His crime was he knocked his front brake pads in with a hammer,this weakened the bond between friction pad and backing plate.braked hard car hit a parked lorry trailer.
Cars are complicated things and they travel fast.lose control at 50 mph .A few countries in europe where at one point going to ban home repairs to improve car safety.
A field full of people jacking there cars up fixing them is a very scrary thought.Basic maintance is one thing.If some one is nervous about fixing there car then they should leave it well alone.My brother is a builder.its fine to slap on some paint.but when people start rewiring,knocking walls down thats a different story.There are enough cowboys in the trade out there without inviting members of the public to join in.
I used to go to the earls court home show.watch the demo on some fancy kitchen toy,chop veg in seconds easy.get it home can i do it no,because I dont have the experiance.
Field full of mg owners chatting about basic maintance brillant,field full of mg owners under there cars with a company pluging there 20 year old cars into t4 laptops not a good idea.We have seen to many accidents.Spent the whole night replacing four piston,liners and a recon head on a beautiful 160.the owner watched on U TUBE how to replace a timing belt.well he decided to add some grease to increase its life.his car would start so he towed started it.belt sliped off and over a two mile distance wreck his car.
I like this forum its friendly,but a few people have a lot of strange ideas.they watch top gear or see different sports cars and think that seams a good idea.
MGs are wonderful cars,people meet up chat,go for drives.some can tinker around with them,but it is very easy for some to watch some thing and thing that looks easy ,I will do that my self,just like the earls court show,they make it look easy.
It took me years to know my job and still learning,but when I make a mistake I can correct it with experiance.And because im a vip member.
My own abingdon was bought from a man who rebuilt the engine,he had put loads of new parts spent a lot on money.His wife was driving on the M4 when the car wheels locked up,she spun twice on the motorway and landed up on the embankment facing the wrong way.
I bought it on ebay,drove to wales where I was told the story,in his garage was motorbikes in states of rebuild.He told me he had gained his wealth of experiance form TV utube and the internet.The cause for the engine to seize was an end cap not being done up .nearly killed his wife and distroyed a car.And he is still working on his motorbikes.

Jeff - great idea - would need some serious arranging though.

Daz - I understand where you are coming from but having experienced so called profesionals lack of ability in both my house and cars and having watched so called profesionals involved in distrabution and some of the tricks they pull I am less inclined to trust the pros than many of them would like.

What would add to this event would be to have someone like Daz along in an advisory role, maybe some of the mobile guys like MJS as well, would be great advertising for themselves.

I do like the idea,and thankyou for wanting me to attend

Daz makes a fair point about safety matters.

Some folk want to be pointed in the right direction "how to" do straightforward stuff properly and what to look out for.
Others need warning off from "how not to" - such as banging in disc pads with a hammer!
A technical day would not turn all attendees into experts - some may be happy to rock up and chat, others might want help with something specific. Perhaps a list would be good nearer the time.

I believe VIPs should attend to "tut tut" about things we shouldn't be doing and "encourage" the simple tasks that help us to both maintain the vehicles and our enthusiasm for keeping them. After all, a decent population of cars keeps bread on the table for the specialists. A high level of competence is required to work with suspension, steering and brakes and not everyone has the ability to fit a timing belt or sort out HGF. The MGF/TF specialists like Daz (he's a VIP [doffs cap]) are clearly competent and know more than us mere novices. Their knowledge/experience would be invaluable on a technical day and attending would expose them to potential customers.

Jeff

mind you jeff after seeing your work you would put a lot of proffesional to shame.You clearly known your stuff,but you check up and take your time.Your car is like a new car.
its my proffession to know my cars and I take that respondisbility very seriously.
All you need is nice leather seats to finish your car off,some new chrome hoops.LOL.
spelling getting bad I know folks,

we could set up a mobile work shop and we could fit hoops,hood etc,I can also get a chap who sells second hand parts up there .The trouble is there are a few events like that already.But im happy to get involed and happy to help.

Guys, I think the suggestion of a technical day is excellent, being mindful of Daz's comments and experiences we could use the opportunity to gain knowledge on the pitfalls and risks on certain tasks. I think its worth sharing information on what's involved in certain jobs and what should be given to a professional. This forum has given me some insightful information on what can and cannot be done with my limited skill set. Often what work is perceived as a difficult job I then have the information to make a decision on whether its within my comfort zone to undertake. Hence the value of this Forum and the wealth of experience and knowledge out there available to all members.

I would be pleased to support the day and get involved.

N

I was at a tech session at a big meet in the USA where an expert gave a demo on a subject car and everyone gathered around observing and asking questions. Very informative and with zero liability issues. This way people can be shown procedures, proper tools, and have the chance to ask about things they don't understand and be shown the answers on a "real" car.

We have already had a technical tinkering day, but it was under the banner of the Border patrol. Russell was in attendance and did a fair bit of work, mainly fitting SS underfloor pipes, I think.
We, the amateurs, concentrated on window adjustment to cure leaks(CJJ) and Epas adjustment to cure the auto-steer left at low speeds(Me). Jon(Rough Luck) came along with Hydragas pump. People brought washing/detailing gear and several cars were washed/polished within an inch of their lives.:lol:

However, It was held in County Durham, so not much use to the Southern contingent of the forum.

Really, it just needs someone to come up with a suitable central/ southern venue. Preferably under cover, with electric and water. If you can guarantee a couple of jobs for the likes of Daz, Russell or Jon, I'm sure they would be happy to come along.(You would need to give Daz, Russell plenty of notice.)
People with no mechanical skills can learn from others, and/or offer washing/ cleaning in exchange for work done.